Honorary Doctorates 2025
News
Esteemed recipients of BSU Honorary Doctorates taking to this year’s graduation stage
Monday, 21 July, 2025Every year, Bath Spa University awards Honorary Doctorates to esteemed recipients who have served their communities in remarkable ways.
This year is no different, with a world-famous fashion designer, an influencer with over one million followers and a multi-award-winning conductor included in this year’s list of recipients.
The recipients will be awarded their degrees alongside over 1,500 students donning their cap and gown and receiving their own certificates at The Forum in Bath City Centre this week.
Alice Temperley MBE
A famed name around the world, Alice Temperley MBE has dressed everyone from the Princess of Wales to stars on the red carpet.
Growing up in Somerset and moving her operations to nearby Ilminster, Alice has been a key figure in the local community and continues to serve the next generation by working with charities and offering mentorship to up-and-coming designers.
Owner of Temperley London and a strong advocate for sustainable fashion, Alice will be awarded a prestigious Honorary Doctorate of Arts.
Louise May Mosley
An influencer and advocate with over one million followers on TikTok, Lou May – as she’s more commonly known – is the youngest recipient of an honorary doctorate this year.
After graduating from Bath Spa University Lou May rose to prominence online, raising awareness of British Sign Language, body positivity, LGBTQIA+ rights and female empowerment.
Receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Social Inclusion, Lou May’s legacy of educating and empowering the next generation is certain to inspire our most recent graduating cohort.
Haresh Sharma
Renowned playwright, Haresh Sharma’s words have shaped the stage for many years. Resident Playwright of The Necessary Stage since the 1990s, Haresh has written over 100 plays which have been staged in cities across the world.
Photo by Pond Photography
With many prestigious accolades to his name, Haresh also published a book documenting his journey as a playwright and theatre-maker in Singapore.
Haresh’s unprecedented success in the playwrighting industry serves as an extraordinary example of professional creativity at its best. Haresh is soon to be a recipient of BSU’s Honorary Doctorate of Arts.
Professor Joshua Goode
Joshua Goode is a Professor of History and Cultural Studies at Claremont Graduate University in California, an institution with a long-standing alliance with BSU. A historian of modern Europe, Dr Goode has published widely on an array of topics, touching on how ideas move across geographical borders and historical contexts.
Dr Goode is also the Founder of the 'Center for Humanities in Practice' at CGU. The Center’s mission is to expand the horizons of students, offering them the opportunity, as part of their education, to apply their work in the world.
In honour of his groundbreaking work, Professor Goode will take home the Honorary Doctorate of Letters from BSU this week.
Nik Jovcic-Sas
Set to be awarded the Honorary Doctorate for Social Inclusion, Nik, born in Bath and raised in Midsomer Norton, is a passionate musician and performer sure to inspire at The Forum.
They’re a familiar presence as a busker on the streets of Bath and have performed at Glastonbury Festival multiple times with their band Ninotchka. Nik is a driving force in Bath’s queer nightlife as the host of WIG! – a celebrated drag cabaret – as their alter ego, Mother.
Nik studied Theology at King’s College London, specialising in queer history and affirming theology, and their academic work explores the intersection of religion, sexuality, and identity. Nik has lectured and delivered talks and seminars at universities, conferences, and religious institutions across Europe and North America.
Nick Hounsfield
The person who brought a ‘slice of ocean’ to a field in Bristol, Nick Hounsfield is the founder and visionary behind The Wave and soon to be recipient of BSU’s Doctorate of Social Inclusion.
Photo by Matt Porteous
Nick is a former Osteopath with a passion for bringing the health benefits of water and waves to more people. His talent for thinking big and differently, looking to create spaces and new communities that are better for both human and planetary health, has made Nick a ‘blue health’ advocate, spokesperson and instrumental in supporting adapted and disability surfing.
Charles Hazlewood
Award-winning British conductor Charles Hazlewood has worked with many of the world's greatest orchestras, he has played Carnegie Hall New York, the BBC Proms, and multiple festivals throughout the world.
Charles has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, has conducted over 200 world premieres, and founded Paraorchestra: the world's first large-scale fully evolved ensemble of professional musicians with and without disabilities.
His accolades don’t stop there, Charles has authored, presented and conducted the music in multiple landmark films for BBCTV and Sky Arts, shows on BBC Radio 2 and 3, has three TED talks to his name, and was a recent Castaway on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs.
Charles is taking to the Graduation stage to accept an Honorary Doctorate of Social Inclusion in a few days time.
Professor Sue Rigby
Professor Sue Rigby is a name that will be familiar to many at BSU, with our former Vice-Chancellor returning to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Education.
Serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University from 2017-2024, Professor Rigby guided BSU through many challenges and helped make it the vibrant, diverse and creative community it is today.